Kyle Wullschleger

I just tried calling the Steadicam service number given on Tiffen's website - 818-843-4600 and it says the number has been disconnected. I'd like to send my Zephyr arm in for cleaning, have the latches on the post upgraded - there's been an issue with the bottom clamp since I purchased it last October - and fix a latch on my case was busted off last time I flew for a job. Anyway - anyone know if there is a new number to call or a specific person I should reach out to? I understand Michael Craigs is not the guy these days, is this true? Or better yet, does Tiffen have someone on the East Coast that I should look into sending this to? Thanks so much in advance!

The 15mm light weight rods are an aftermarket option. I'm having trouble envisioning what you're thinking about coming off the side of the camera? The good and the bad of the Epic is there are literally infinite ways to rig the camera and so whatever 1/4"-20 plates/rails etc one person has won't be the same for the next. A far as I know, I haven't seen anyone send a rod off of the side plate of a camera like I think you are describing, typically the motors are mounted off of a baseplate or top plate rod connection. Does your setup have a studio baseplate for 19mm rods? I own an Epic and I've got 19mm rods across the top and I mount my motors from there.

It's almost certainly the connection of the 7D to the rig because the mounting point and surface is so small and the lens weight sticks out so far. The only way to prevent this is by using something like a view factor cage or a really right stuff plate that makes contact with the entire surface of the camera body.